I had two movies called "Fair Game" standing on my must-see list, so I watched them after each other in order not to lose track of one of them. The first one was an obscure Italian lethal-snake-on-the-loose thriller also known as "Mamba" and this one is Australia's belated (unless I missed something) response to the 'Revengeploitation" sub genre. Revenge thrillers were especially popular throughout the entire decade of the 70's, with highlights like "Last House on the Left", "I Spit on your Grave, "Fight for your Life", "House by the Lake" and "House on the Edge of the Park". These movies routinely handle about innocent women (preferably defenseless and fragile) getting harassed and viciously raped by a group of men (preferably perverted hicks and/or fugitive criminals) and then avenging themselves by taking justice into their own hands. The gritty atmosphere and gratuitous use of violence and sleaze in "Fair Game" is pretty much prototypic revenge thriller stuff, but it nevertheless also remains an authentic Aussie movie, meaning the assaulters are bored kangaroo poachers looking for new thrills and the 'victim' (Cassandra Delaney; the former Mrs. John Denver) is actually a very potent lady who fights back from the beginning and never really allows her opponents to get the upper hand. Jessica runs a wildlife reservation in the middle of the outback, so naturally there's a vicious conflict when she bumps into a trio of insensitive and macho poachers doing some illegal kangaroo hunting on her territories. This film feels refreshing and innovative because the script doesn't unfold like the majority of 70's revenge thrillers. The interactions between Jessica and the poachers start off like a testosterone-laden showdown, but then gradually escalate into a merciless battle with humiliation, rape and murder. There are several highly memorable and deliciously exploitative scenes in "Fair Game", most notably the one with Delaney in her white undies - tied to the hood of a jeep whilst it races through the desert. Her acts of vengeance during the climax are quite impressive as well and I guarantee there's some impressive bloodshed to enjoy in "Fair Game". As often the case with Australian cult-productions ("Outback", "Wolf Creek", "Mad Max"
), the exterior filming location and wildlife images alone make the movie worth purchasing and this particular one also benefices from good music and stylish camera-work. The acting performances are more than satisfying and I'm pleased to notice the cast exclusively exists of native Australians. This isn't always the case, you know. Definitely recommended if you're a fan of the revenge movies.
26 Reviews
terrorized in the outback; effective thriller
FieCrier26 April 2006
A woman in charge of a wildlife sanctuary in Australia is terrorized on the road by two men in a beastly pickup truck and another man in a truck with a shark painted on the back doors. They continue to harass her, and she keeps asserting herself against them, even fighting back. They're intent on killing animals and having cruel fun.
Some who've watched the movie think that if she left them alone, they would have left her alone. I doubt it. At a minimum they would have gone on killing more animals, which she would have found intolerable. But I think they were as intent on tormenting her as killing kangaroos.
The woman is played by the beautiful Cassandra Delaney (the future Mrs. John Denver!), who sadly has not done many other movies. She spends the first part of the movie barely dressed in a long shirt and belt and nothing else, or a wrap and belt. Hot outfit for a hot environment.
Essentially follows a rape-revenge sort of plot, although it isn't clear if they rape her. As the video box indicates, they strap her to the hood of their pickup and drive her around. She's later dumped and she takes a shower, so a rape could be inferred, but it isn't integral.
A well-made film, well acted, though not especially deep.
Some who've watched the movie think that if she left them alone, they would have left her alone. I doubt it. At a minimum they would have gone on killing more animals, which she would have found intolerable. But I think they were as intent on tormenting her as killing kangaroos.
The woman is played by the beautiful Cassandra Delaney (the future Mrs. John Denver!), who sadly has not done many other movies. She spends the first part of the movie barely dressed in a long shirt and belt and nothing else, or a wrap and belt. Hot outfit for a hot environment.
Essentially follows a rape-revenge sort of plot, although it isn't clear if they rape her. As the video box indicates, they strap her to the hood of their pickup and drive her around. She's later dumped and she takes a shower, so a rape could be inferred, but it isn't integral.
A well-made film, well acted, though not especially deep.
The poachers messed with the wrong Aussie woman
jordondave-2808521 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
(1986) Fair Game
PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER
Another tit for tat movie, with wild life conservationist, Jessica (Cassandra Delaney) butting heads with three wild and uncultivated kangaroo poachers led by Sunny (Peter Ford), with Ringo Radnick (David Sandford) and Sparks (Garry Who). And although Jessica already has a mate herself, of some guy named Ted, he's in another part of the world, forcing her to have to manage the entire wild life sanctuary and fend for herself. Also, another one of her problems is the fact she lives so far away from the city, as well as law enforcement officer.
Another film I was curious about after watching the doc "Not Quite Hollywood-The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation!", and as an exploitation film I thought it was fairly entertaining particularly the bad guy Ringo played by David Sandford performing some dangerous stunts dangling behind a truck, as well as running on top of a house while it was being bulldozed by the group's pickup. And you know, the main star, Jessica had an opportunity to wreck the group's pickup after she trap them into a cave, and instead rode away on front of them instead. And it happened after she wrecked their box truck where they store dead kangaroos. The other thing that was baffling was how come Jessica had no rifle or proper hunting knife with her which I thought conservationists need just in case she herself might get stranded in a desert. Anyways as a tit for tat movie, it's entertaining enough.
Another tit for tat movie, with wild life conservationist, Jessica (Cassandra Delaney) butting heads with three wild and uncultivated kangaroo poachers led by Sunny (Peter Ford), with Ringo Radnick (David Sandford) and Sparks (Garry Who). And although Jessica already has a mate herself, of some guy named Ted, he's in another part of the world, forcing her to have to manage the entire wild life sanctuary and fend for herself. Also, another one of her problems is the fact she lives so far away from the city, as well as law enforcement officer.
Another film I was curious about after watching the doc "Not Quite Hollywood-The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation!", and as an exploitation film I thought it was fairly entertaining particularly the bad guy Ringo played by David Sandford performing some dangerous stunts dangling behind a truck, as well as running on top of a house while it was being bulldozed by the group's pickup. And you know, the main star, Jessica had an opportunity to wreck the group's pickup after she trap them into a cave, and instead rode away on front of them instead. And it happened after she wrecked their box truck where they store dead kangaroos. The other thing that was baffling was how come Jessica had no rifle or proper hunting knife with her which I thought conservationists need just in case she herself might get stranded in a desert. Anyways as a tit for tat movie, it's entertaining enough.
Outback girlie gets tough with marauding idiots.
EyeAskance12 May 2007
This better-than-you'd-expect Aussie revenge thriller pits a young female wildlife refuge ranger against a trio of moronic imbeciles who terrorize her in a senseless cat-and-mouse game in the great outback. Some fairly effective scenes play out in this otherwise unexceptional and run-of-the-mill revenge yarn.
Good performances and interesting location filming highlight this, a take-it-or-leave-it indie film which could have benefited from more gratuitous nudity and violence...the final product,while not at all bad, seems rather lacking in the sleaze factors which fans of this type of film are generally looking for.
4.5/10...neither fish nor fowl, but definitely watchable.
Good performances and interesting location filming highlight this, a take-it-or-leave-it indie film which could have benefited from more gratuitous nudity and violence...the final product,while not at all bad, seems rather lacking in the sleaze factors which fans of this type of film are generally looking for.
4.5/10...neither fish nor fowl, but definitely watchable.
An interesting Aussie take on the classic female revenge flick
MBunge2 August 2010
Warning: Spoilers
This Australian Outback tale of the standoff between a brave, beautiful woman and a trio of bullying hunters is notable for two things.
1. How many times people DON'T get killed. 2. The way its conflict is grounded in normal human behavior gone awry, instead of being spawned by abnormal evil.
Jessica (Cassandra Delany) runs a ramshackle animal sanctuary in the Australian wilds. Her husband is away and the local cop refuses to help as she's harassed by three men hired by local farmers to shoot kangaroos. In their tricked-out jeep, complete with shooting perch and a handlebar mustache front bumper, the handsome Sony (Peter Ford), frantic Ringo (David Sandford) and chubby Sparks (Garry Who) begin bothering Jessica as an act of boorish bravado. The more Jessica stands up to their taunts and manhandling, however, the more aggressive and violent the hunters become until what began as almost a form of roughhouse flirting turns into a life-or-death struggle for dominance.
Fair Game is an enjoyable little thriller, for its effective execution, wonderful Down Under scenery and for its different spin on the classic female revenge story. The whole "woman being set upon by men until she fights back" is one of the foundations of the American exploitation film. The U.S. version is almost always about the victim turning the tables on her victimizers. These Aussie filmmakers take that concept in a refreshingly interesting direction. Jessica is never just hapless prey and the hunters aren't psycho killers. Jessica is a frontier woman defending her home and her dignity. The hunters are never monsters. They're unthinking, adrenaline-seeking jackasses who simply don't care how their behavior bothers or even endangers others. It's only when Jessica refuses to back down and accept their crude, schoolboy torments that their behavior lethally escalates.
Redefining this conflict as a battle of wills makes for a much more entertaining film. The fact that at certain points in the movie, Jessica is the one who actually elevates her fight with the hunters to a new level of intensity gives depth to an otherwise basic plot. Making the woman a proactive participant in her clash with these men enlivens all of the characters and engages the viewer on a different level. When the hunters repeatedly have Jessica at their mercy and decide not to harm her, it makes them more than just avatars of our brutal voyeurism.
The dialog here is nothing to write home about and there are a few moments where something happens that doesn't seem to be possible. That's more than compensated for by the, at times, startling nudity of Cassandra Delaney.
Fair Game is a thriller that's more intellectually intriguing than emotionally gripping, but it's still worth watching.
1. How many times people DON'T get killed. 2. The way its conflict is grounded in normal human behavior gone awry, instead of being spawned by abnormal evil.
Jessica (Cassandra Delany) runs a ramshackle animal sanctuary in the Australian wilds. Her husband is away and the local cop refuses to help as she's harassed by three men hired by local farmers to shoot kangaroos. In their tricked-out jeep, complete with shooting perch and a handlebar mustache front bumper, the handsome Sony (Peter Ford), frantic Ringo (David Sandford) and chubby Sparks (Garry Who) begin bothering Jessica as an act of boorish bravado. The more Jessica stands up to their taunts and manhandling, however, the more aggressive and violent the hunters become until what began as almost a form of roughhouse flirting turns into a life-or-death struggle for dominance.
Fair Game is an enjoyable little thriller, for its effective execution, wonderful Down Under scenery and for its different spin on the classic female revenge story. The whole "woman being set upon by men until she fights back" is one of the foundations of the American exploitation film. The U.S. version is almost always about the victim turning the tables on her victimizers. These Aussie filmmakers take that concept in a refreshingly interesting direction. Jessica is never just hapless prey and the hunters aren't psycho killers. Jessica is a frontier woman defending her home and her dignity. The hunters are never monsters. They're unthinking, adrenaline-seeking jackasses who simply don't care how their behavior bothers or even endangers others. It's only when Jessica refuses to back down and accept their crude, schoolboy torments that their behavior lethally escalates.
Redefining this conflict as a battle of wills makes for a much more entertaining film. The fact that at certain points in the movie, Jessica is the one who actually elevates her fight with the hunters to a new level of intensity gives depth to an otherwise basic plot. Making the woman a proactive participant in her clash with these men enlivens all of the characters and engages the viewer on a different level. When the hunters repeatedly have Jessica at their mercy and decide not to harm her, it makes them more than just avatars of our brutal voyeurism.
The dialog here is nothing to write home about and there are a few moments where something happens that doesn't seem to be possible. That's more than compensated for by the, at times, startling nudity of Cassandra Delaney.
Fair Game is a thriller that's more intellectually intriguing than emotionally gripping, but it's still worth watching.
Australian 'I Spit On Your Grave' Ozploitation flick is compact and enjoyable
tonypeacock-11 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Another Ozploitation film from the 1980s made on a low budget and before home video took over the drive-in cinemas.
Actually kept me hooked for its admittedly compact running time.
It follows a sort of revenge storyline as an outback nature reserve keeper (a lady alone for a few days, Jessica (Cassandra Delaney)) comes under attack from a gang of three kangaroo hunting thugs.
The kangaroo hunting complete with souped up 4x4 vehicle has elements of Wake In Fright (1971).
Jessica starts the film under attack but by the end has developed quite handy booby trap techniques to defend herself and her pony and pet Border Collie dog.
Admittedly has elements of films like I Spit In Your Grave but with an Australian outback element.
The 1980s music score adds to the enjoyment of the film.
These Ozploitation films deliver cheap B film thrills. However if you go into the viewing with an open mind you more often than not will enjoy it.
Actually kept me hooked for its admittedly compact running time.
It follows a sort of revenge storyline as an outback nature reserve keeper (a lady alone for a few days, Jessica (Cassandra Delaney)) comes under attack from a gang of three kangaroo hunting thugs.
The kangaroo hunting complete with souped up 4x4 vehicle has elements of Wake In Fright (1971).
Jessica starts the film under attack but by the end has developed quite handy booby trap techniques to defend herself and her pony and pet Border Collie dog.
Admittedly has elements of films like I Spit In Your Grave but with an Australian outback element.
The 1980s music score adds to the enjoyment of the film.
These Ozploitation films deliver cheap B film thrills. However if you go into the viewing with an open mind you more often than not will enjoy it.
Watchable bad film.
bombersflyup20 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Fair Game is a bad film on all accounts, except the presence of Cassandra Delaney.
Basically a beautiful woman walks around in the outback barely wearing anything, while some idiots hunt and mess with her. That's it really and you get that from the start. The characters and their reasoning's atrocious and the dialogue's bloody awful. The two goons in particular are stupidly written and acted, though not in an annoying way. The point where she stands over them while they sleep and decides to cutely tie up their stuff, instead of burning them alive, taking or destroying the vehicle or taking the weapons which she has demonstrated she can use with proficiency earlier in the film, is cringe worthy. She already perceives them to be a serious threat and is only forcing their hand. I am disappointed, as this had possibility. Glad I didn't have to watch animals being tortured though.
Basically a beautiful woman walks around in the outback barely wearing anything, while some idiots hunt and mess with her. That's it really and you get that from the start. The characters and their reasoning's atrocious and the dialogue's bloody awful. The two goons in particular are stupidly written and acted, though not in an annoying way. The point where she stands over them while they sleep and decides to cutely tie up their stuff, instead of burning them alive, taking or destroying the vehicle or taking the weapons which she has demonstrated she can use with proficiency earlier in the film, is cringe worthy. She already perceives them to be a serious threat and is only forcing their hand. I am disappointed, as this had possibility. Glad I didn't have to watch animals being tortured though.
I feel bad for Ted
voliveri8 June 2023
Protagonists in revenge flicks are usually people who have been egregiously wronged. This is so that when they go medieval on everyone's butt, we're happy about it. My problem with this movie is that the protagonist--Jessica--is equally guilty. Therefore, when she gets what's coming to her, I don't feel bad about it, and when the antagonists get what's coming to them, I don't feel bad about it either. We're just watching a bunch of stupid people escalating things without knowing when to quit.
By the mid-point of the movie, there's only one person I feel bad for: Ted. Ted is Jessica's off-screen boyfriend who is attending a conference somewhere. He gets to come back to the wreckage left behind by his girlfriend's actions.
For me, having Jessica go on offense early really undermines my investment in her fate and the movie as a whole, loosening the tension I might otherwise feel watching a movie like this.
Cassandra Delaney is stunning so I didn't regret watching her for 90 minutes. Can't say I believed the plot but the acting and direction were solid.
1-3 Don't waste your time 4-6 It's okay/good 7-9 Great 10 Outstanding.
By the mid-point of the movie, there's only one person I feel bad for: Ted. Ted is Jessica's off-screen boyfriend who is attending a conference somewhere. He gets to come back to the wreckage left behind by his girlfriend's actions.
For me, having Jessica go on offense early really undermines my investment in her fate and the movie as a whole, loosening the tension I might otherwise feel watching a movie like this.
Cassandra Delaney is stunning so I didn't regret watching her for 90 minutes. Can't say I believed the plot but the acting and direction were solid.
1-3 Don't waste your time 4-6 It's okay/good 7-9 Great 10 Outstanding.
Forgettable female revenge flick with zero believability ...........................
merklekranz5 August 2011
This Australian "I Spit on Your Grave" clone lacks a lot in the common sense and believability departments. A woman living on a game preserve is tormented by three of the dumbest poachers on earth. Endless car chases eventually lead to a "Mrs. Rambo" type ending that throws believability out the window and over a cliff. Although the human hood ornament scene is something completely different, the other 95% of "Fair Game" is repetitive and downright tedious. In reality, the movie is nothing more than a showcase for Cassandra Delaney and some nice scenery, sacrificing plot, common sense, and character development. What you are left with is a female revenge flick that is totally forgettable except for one scene. - MERK
When will they stop screwing each other over?
chris-w-king12 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This film was strange, entertaining, but strange. It lacks much logic, like almost every 10 minutes the heroine would escape her house and evade the poachers, and ride, drive or run seemingly miles, then walk back to her home in seconds. The plot mostly involves a women who is teased by poachers, so she teases back, so they tie her to a car topless and drive her through a desert, so she takes there guns, so they chase her to kill her, so she.... you get the idea. If i learnt anything from this film its this; if your alone in the middle of nowhere with the poachers on your land, don't continuously screw them over or you'll end up almost raped (or topless tied to a car)and having your home destroyed. There is no one to feel sympathy for in this, as she is pathetic and idiotic as the redneck type poachers on her land. Although the plot seems repetitive, i really enjoyed it, and its stupidity. Its no razorback in terms of filmmaking, or good ol' ozploitation but it has some scenes well worth hunting out if you like sleazy forgettable garbage as much as me. The ending is over the top, and unjustified, on account of both party's, but then as she did steal their guns, beat them senseless, and steal their van, yet she is the one taking revenge. Genius.
Entertaining fare, worthy of it's three stars
PeterMitchell-506-56436421 November 2012
I remember wagging school to see this. I was sixteen. Well, I wasn't really wagging. I was going to town to buy some clothes. I just optioned to see this. I really wanted to see this flick, a kinda Mad Max in the outback. The plot is simple: animal conservationalist gets on the wrong side of these three larger than kangaroo, hunters, the most menacing of them, being the older one, Sunny, quite a tough one to figure out. A game of revenge begins, pitting the taunted against her taunters. They draw first blood, after nearly running her off the road, in some breathtaking action, which is well shot, you can tell the director had fun making this. Sunny defends his actions, by saying "We're only doing the farmers a favor". Him and his mates are surely not doing her a favor. They keep pushing her, stalking her, tormenting her, breaking into her farmhouse. Check out the nude snapshot Sunny takes of her while asleep. Yummy. She starts pushing back, like doing one hell of a welding job on their rifles which Sunny's mate, Sparks compliments it. The trademark scene is her being tied to the front of the pickup, actually known as The Beast, that flaunts these big horns that sit above the vehicles grill. Her breasts are open to view, on this uncomfortable ride. The locations on the beautiful Flinders Rangers, work to this film's benefit. Truly beautiful scenery, and Adelaide'n that I am, I have to take a ride up there one day. I must admit this is an addictive revenge flick. I don't know what the other kid in the cinema thought but I did enjoy it. But the film does run on two little. There's some great stuntwork and some intense scenes, where their taunting takes it's toll on this poor beautiful woman. The victims die in forgettable if pathetic ways. It's ending song isn't forgettable though. The film, does have a high animal count I must warn you. Fair Game is an action flick that certainly won't win any AFI'S, but this 85 Adelaide effort that was shot on mid thirty degree days, is entertaining junk. Incidentally, producer Harley Manners was so eager to do this, he sold his house in Torrens Park to finance the film, I guess, and when you have the beautiful Delaney in it's lead (who actually was going with songwriting great, John Denver), anything with her is worth watching. See how many films have this title. I'm pretty sure this one is it's first.
Cassandra's worth the price of admission
gall3418 December 2005
Weak plot but great showcase for Cassandra Delaney. Also interesting Outback scenery and action. I enjoyed the rural Australian scenery; that was interesting to me; the remoteness helped give some credibility to the lawless villains. The setting was different and remote, giving some credibility to the lawlessness of the villains. A lot of the action was unique and haunting. The plot grew more and more predictable but I didn't mind. The plot seemed designed to showcase Cassandra's charms and, I confess, she won me over! Unfortunately, Casasandra later married John Denver in real life and turned to music...meaning she was only in about 5 movies. Too bad. I would go to a movie just to see her.
Fair Game
BandSAboutMovies9 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Jessica (Cassandra Delaney, one-time wife of John Denver; also the star of One Night Stand and Hurricane Smith) just wants to take care of an animal sanctuary but now she has to deal with the fury of three kangaroo poachers -- Sunny (Peter Ford), Ringo (David Sandford) and Sparks (Garry Who) -- after she tries to turn them in for hunting on protected land.
They take things too far when they break into her quarters while she sleeps and take nude Polaroids of her. She responds by messing with their guns, so they assault her and tie her to the hood of The Beast, a specially redesigned Ford F100, and tear through the outback. Then, they destroy her home, smash her car and kill every animal that she's sworn to protect.
If the police (Don Barker) don't care, if she can't get to town and if she's probably going to die at the hands of these men, there's no way she's not taking some of them out with her.
Directed by Mario Andreacchio and written by Rob George -- who would also work together on The Dreaming, Captain Johnno, Abduction...Who's Next? And several episodes of Pals.
George was inspired by driving through Australia, saying "The original source of the idea for me was driving back from Sydney to Adelaide one night, we left about midnight, and around about West Wyalong we got taunted by some guy who kept driving right up behind us ... just sitting a foot or two behind the back of our ute and then he'd pass us and go up and come back on the other side of the road and play chicken with us. It was really distressing."
Andreacchio would later say, "Fair Game came out of a situation where we were wanting to make a movie that was a B-grade video suspense thriller. I wanted to treat it like comic book violence -- it was always like a comic book study of violence. What amazed me and the thing I found quite disappointing was that it started to become a cult film in some parts of the world and people were taking it seriously. And that, for me, became a real turning point. I thought, if people are taking this seriously, then I don't think I can make this sort of material."
This movie exudes sleaze and danger, as everything surrounding Jessica is out to hurt her. It's shot in blazing sunlight by Andrew Lesnie, who would go on to The Lords of the Rings movies. It feels like I Spit On Your Grave and Razorback had a child and then Death Proof was the kid it had when it was just a teenager.
Stick with this. It takes some time to get to where it needs to be. But when it does, it's ready to deliver on everything you watch exploitation films for.
They take things too far when they break into her quarters while she sleeps and take nude Polaroids of her. She responds by messing with their guns, so they assault her and tie her to the hood of The Beast, a specially redesigned Ford F100, and tear through the outback. Then, they destroy her home, smash her car and kill every animal that she's sworn to protect.
If the police (Don Barker) don't care, if she can't get to town and if she's probably going to die at the hands of these men, there's no way she's not taking some of them out with her.
Directed by Mario Andreacchio and written by Rob George -- who would also work together on The Dreaming, Captain Johnno, Abduction...Who's Next? And several episodes of Pals.
George was inspired by driving through Australia, saying "The original source of the idea for me was driving back from Sydney to Adelaide one night, we left about midnight, and around about West Wyalong we got taunted by some guy who kept driving right up behind us ... just sitting a foot or two behind the back of our ute and then he'd pass us and go up and come back on the other side of the road and play chicken with us. It was really distressing."
Andreacchio would later say, "Fair Game came out of a situation where we were wanting to make a movie that was a B-grade video suspense thriller. I wanted to treat it like comic book violence -- it was always like a comic book study of violence. What amazed me and the thing I found quite disappointing was that it started to become a cult film in some parts of the world and people were taking it seriously. And that, for me, became a real turning point. I thought, if people are taking this seriously, then I don't think I can make this sort of material."
This movie exudes sleaze and danger, as everything surrounding Jessica is out to hurt her. It's shot in blazing sunlight by Andrew Lesnie, who would go on to The Lords of the Rings movies. It feels like I Spit On Your Grave and Razorback had a child and then Death Proof was the kid it had when it was just a teenager.
Stick with this. It takes some time to get to where it needs to be. But when it does, it's ready to deliver on everything you watch exploitation films for.
Fails to Provide Insight
liammaruff24 March 2019
Noted elsewhere, the premise of this film isn't original. But, this film could have explored themes of violence in rural Australian culture. It doesn't. The director has little insight to provide, and what's presented here is probably all he had to say. Competently filmed, rarely well acted. Some remarkable landscapes, little else, unremarkable exploitation film. For genre fans only.
Weak Attempt at a Revenge Film
Michael_Elliott4 April 2018
Fair Game (1986)
* (out of 4)
Jessica (Cassandra Delaney) is a young woman who is working in a wildlife sanctuary in the Australian outback. She seems to have a terrific life until one day when she runs into some poachers. At first it seems the poachers are just having a little fun with her but before long it turns dark and forces Jessica to defend herself.
If you're familiar with films like THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT and I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE then you might eventually run into FAIR GAME, this Australian attempt to try and cash in on those genre pictures. I hadn't heard too much about this film but decided to give it a shot since I'm a fan of the "revenge" genre but sadly this film is pretty darn bad on many levels.
There are all sorts of problems with this movie but the biggest is the screenplay itself. It's clear that the filmmakers wanted to do a revenge picture but I just found this to be so poorly written that at times it became comical. I say that because the female character here constantly puts herself in more and more danger to the point where it turns deadly. In all honesty, I'd blame the female character here for allowing the events of the film to go where they do.
I'm not going to ruin anything in the picture but there were so many times where this character could have gotten away and moved on in life yet she kept going back for more. All of this got rather annoying as the picture went on but there are plenty of other problems including the male characters being deadly dull and boring. It also doesn't help that there's not an ounce of tension to be found and the entire film just has a very dull feel to it.
With that said, the look at the outback was wonderful and made for some terrific shots throughout the picture. I'd also argue that Delaney was quite good in her role and it's too bad that it wasn't better written. FAIR GAME has pretty much been forgotten ever since it came out and it's easy to see why.
* (out of 4)
Jessica (Cassandra Delaney) is a young woman who is working in a wildlife sanctuary in the Australian outback. She seems to have a terrific life until one day when she runs into some poachers. At first it seems the poachers are just having a little fun with her but before long it turns dark and forces Jessica to defend herself.
If you're familiar with films like THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT and I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE then you might eventually run into FAIR GAME, this Australian attempt to try and cash in on those genre pictures. I hadn't heard too much about this film but decided to give it a shot since I'm a fan of the "revenge" genre but sadly this film is pretty darn bad on many levels.
There are all sorts of problems with this movie but the biggest is the screenplay itself. It's clear that the filmmakers wanted to do a revenge picture but I just found this to be so poorly written that at times it became comical. I say that because the female character here constantly puts herself in more and more danger to the point where it turns deadly. In all honesty, I'd blame the female character here for allowing the events of the film to go where they do.
I'm not going to ruin anything in the picture but there were so many times where this character could have gotten away and moved on in life yet she kept going back for more. All of this got rather annoying as the picture went on but there are plenty of other problems including the male characters being deadly dull and boring. It also doesn't help that there's not an ounce of tension to be found and the entire film just has a very dull feel to it.
With that said, the look at the outback was wonderful and made for some terrific shots throughout the picture. I'd also argue that Delaney was quite good in her role and it's too bad that it wasn't better written. FAIR GAME has pretty much been forgotten ever since it came out and it's easy to see why.
The Most Dangerous Game is a Sexy Game Warden
Vince_D13 January 2024
Fair Game (1986) - Awesome 80's Australian Action-Thriller film. It's often referred to as a "rape and revenge" film like I Spit on Your Grave (1978), however, I think it has much more in common with films like The Most Dangerous Game (1932) and Surviving the Game (1994).
In this film, a very attractive game warden running a wildlife sanctuary in the Australian outback is caught in the crosshairs and pursued by local kangaroo poachers bored with hunting wildlife.
One thing that makes this film great is the main character, played compellingly by the sexy Cassandra Delaney, is no pushover or damsel in distress; she gives the hunters more than they bargained for from the minute she is confronted by them. As the film goes on, Delaney's vengeance against her tormentors grows increasingly violent as the hunted becomes the hunter.
The performances by Delaney, along with the trio of scumbags hunting her, are all well-suited for this type of film. The monster-truck-sized off-road vehicle - named 'The Beast' and driven by the hunters - becomes a character in its own right; managing to steal the entire picture in the film's most infamous and memorable scene, prominently featured in the marketing material.
Additionally, the photography is excellent, showcasing dynamic backlit shots of 'The Beast' pursuing Delaney through the outback at night in scenes visually reminiscent of Razorback (1984) and The Road Warrior (1981), Australian films the producers were surely influenced by.
Great film overall. 7.5/10.
In this film, a very attractive game warden running a wildlife sanctuary in the Australian outback is caught in the crosshairs and pursued by local kangaroo poachers bored with hunting wildlife.
One thing that makes this film great is the main character, played compellingly by the sexy Cassandra Delaney, is no pushover or damsel in distress; she gives the hunters more than they bargained for from the minute she is confronted by them. As the film goes on, Delaney's vengeance against her tormentors grows increasingly violent as the hunted becomes the hunter.
The performances by Delaney, along with the trio of scumbags hunting her, are all well-suited for this type of film. The monster-truck-sized off-road vehicle - named 'The Beast' and driven by the hunters - becomes a character in its own right; managing to steal the entire picture in the film's most infamous and memorable scene, prominently featured in the marketing material.
Additionally, the photography is excellent, showcasing dynamic backlit shots of 'The Beast' pursuing Delaney through the outback at night in scenes visually reminiscent of Razorback (1984) and The Road Warrior (1981), Australian films the producers were surely influenced by.
Great film overall. 7.5/10.
suffers from the same thing as most revenge flick not enough vengeance
kaefab4 January 2019
If someone would have killed my animals that i loved i would have totally reek havoc on them.
For her its just screaming, she had the chance to get back and those idiots many times yet she failed lots of times.... she also looked very weak and those 3 idiots could have finish her easy.
This movie is very overrated... at best.
For her its just screaming, she had the chance to get back and those idiots many times yet she failed lots of times.... she also looked very weak and those 3 idiots could have finish her easy.
This movie is very overrated... at best.
Fair to middling
BA_Harrison1 January 2019
Three kangaroo hunters terrorise an attractive woman, Jessica (Cassandra Delaney), who lives by herself on a wildlife reserve in the outback.
'80s Ozploitation flick Fair Game is like a rape/revenge movie, but without the rape. Some reviews suggest that a serious sexual assault is inferred, but that simply isn't good enough: if a character is going to systematically kill three men, then it needs to be clear that her victims are deserving of their fates. Fair Game fails to adequately establish this fact, and is all the weaker for it.
Sure, the guys are obnoxious sexist assholes, and are guilty of tormenting, abusing and humiliating the poor woman, but that alone is not enough to warrant multiple homicide. Jessica should have continued to pursue a legal course of action, but instead takes matters into her own hands: she antagonises the men by slapping an anti-hunting sticker on their truck, sneaks out at night to weld their guns together, steals their truck, and tries to trap them in an abandoned mine with a rock fall. Had she continued to complain to the authorities after the first couple of incidences, it's doubtful that matters would have escalated to such levels of extreme violence (sexual or otherwise).
Technically speaking, the film is a mixed bag: performances are strong and the cinematography is very stylish (the scenery looks great and the shots of the hunter's truck are very effective, the vehicle taking on a persona more menacing than the men themselves); however, the soundtrack is diabolical: none of the awful '80s music complements the action. The killings are quite tame for this kind of trash, with the impalement of one guy on an anvil (!?!) proving unintentionally funny.
Fair Game was shorn of almost a minute when released on video in the UK: all of the stuff where Jessica is stripped and bound to the hood of the hunter's vehicle like an ornament was removed. Since this is the most entertaining part of the film, that VHS release must have been particularly frustrating for British fans of Ozploitation.
4.5 out of 10, rounded up to 5 for IMDb.
N.B. Eagle-eyed viewers might spot a male predator far more despicable than any of Fair Game's villains lurking in an advert for paint in the background of the outback convenience store. Can you see what it is yet?
'80s Ozploitation flick Fair Game is like a rape/revenge movie, but without the rape. Some reviews suggest that a serious sexual assault is inferred, but that simply isn't good enough: if a character is going to systematically kill three men, then it needs to be clear that her victims are deserving of their fates. Fair Game fails to adequately establish this fact, and is all the weaker for it.
Sure, the guys are obnoxious sexist assholes, and are guilty of tormenting, abusing and humiliating the poor woman, but that alone is not enough to warrant multiple homicide. Jessica should have continued to pursue a legal course of action, but instead takes matters into her own hands: she antagonises the men by slapping an anti-hunting sticker on their truck, sneaks out at night to weld their guns together, steals their truck, and tries to trap them in an abandoned mine with a rock fall. Had she continued to complain to the authorities after the first couple of incidences, it's doubtful that matters would have escalated to such levels of extreme violence (sexual or otherwise).
Technically speaking, the film is a mixed bag: performances are strong and the cinematography is very stylish (the scenery looks great and the shots of the hunter's truck are very effective, the vehicle taking on a persona more menacing than the men themselves); however, the soundtrack is diabolical: none of the awful '80s music complements the action. The killings are quite tame for this kind of trash, with the impalement of one guy on an anvil (!?!) proving unintentionally funny.
Fair Game was shorn of almost a minute when released on video in the UK: all of the stuff where Jessica is stripped and bound to the hood of the hunter's vehicle like an ornament was removed. Since this is the most entertaining part of the film, that VHS release must have been particularly frustrating for British fans of Ozploitation.
4.5 out of 10, rounded up to 5 for IMDb.
N.B. Eagle-eyed viewers might spot a male predator far more despicable than any of Fair Game's villains lurking in an advert for paint in the background of the outback convenience store. Can you see what it is yet?
When the hunted gets game.
lost-in-limbo21 September 2008
This mid-eighties thriller is a skimpy, but surely entertaining and crazy Australian b-grade exploitation attempt at the revenge sub-genre. A young woman takes on some restless kangaroo poachers who go onto make her life hell, when she confronts them about killing animals on her wildlife sanctuary. It's a lot better than you're led to believe. A cat (well there's three of them) and mouse game evolves, as they simply go tit for tat (no one is desperate to back down) in humiliating, terrorising and finally gaining sweet vengeance. The savage violence isn't particularly extreme, as it has a comic book tone to it, but it's mean-spirited and gustily dished-up. From the get-go you can tell it's going to be thrilling, exciting and blistering as it gets straight in to it and never adjusts otherwise. The suspense holds up and the adrenaline kick gets the heart-pounding in many knuckle-busting sequences (the memorable trophy truck ride). Andrew Lesnie sharply photographs the colourfully rugged Australian landscape and wildlife, but it's the moody nightlife cinematography that adds the atmospheric dynamics. Cassandra Delaney (who looks lovely and spends the quite bit time in the flesh) brings a genuine grittiness and sympathetic side to a strong, capable character. The boneheaded, cruel poachers are eccentrically portrayed by Peter Ford, David Sandford and Gary Who. From this inclusion, the gigantic killer pig feature 'Razorback (1984)' comes to mind. Dominating a lot the scenes would be that of Ashley Irwin's uncanny live-wire and throbbing music score. Sometimes uncalled for, but always palatable. Director Mario Andreacchio makes good of the psychical set-pieces and locations. While writer Rob George's material is fundamental, he still strikes up a dependable script that never resorts to camping it up. An agreeable revenge item.
Outback Vengeance!
ThrownMuse11 March 2007
Australia's answer to "I Spit on Your Grave"? Maybe, except this is actually a much better (and more watchable) film. A woman who owns an isolated vast wildlife reservation realizes that her Roos and other animals are being illegally hunted by some local hooligans. When she tries to set the perps (one of whom thinks he's Crocodile Dundee) straight, they start messing around with her. After a few days, things get out of hand and she finds herself their new prey on her own property. Dubbed an action/thriller by most, I was expecting this to be a cheesy laugh-fest. The only thing about it that resembles an 80s action/thriller is the often light-hearted score (which morphs into more appropriate horror music at times.) Otherwise, this is filled with tension and a humane heroine that you want to root for. This follows the typical rape/revenge formula of the 70s, but it isn't as difficult to watch. A totally fun flick that's one of Australia's better horror offerings.
Step Right Up! See John Denver's Ex Chained to a Truck! Don't Miss It!
Vodka_Sour11 December 2004
...And topless, too! But not naked. Those are two very different things.
But she is very pretty, this Cassandra Delany. Her Australian accent and spunky attitude (along with a penchant for getting naked) makes this a very good video to buy & watch over & over. Not just another pretty face--John Denver's baby.
Not into pretty girls? Well, check out the exotic fauna--cockutoos, lizards, and kangaroos.
None of the above? Well, lots of handsome, rugged bad boys are available; they terrorize poor, helpless Cassandra to no end. Just good old boys having fun, that's all...they may be rough boys, but never meaning no harm. Just play along with 'em, let them tie you to their truck so they can drive around all day until you pass out. So what if they rip off your clothes? You were going to throw out that raggedy old thing anyways. Right?????? Right......
But she is very pretty, this Cassandra Delany. Her Australian accent and spunky attitude (along with a penchant for getting naked) makes this a very good video to buy & watch over & over. Not just another pretty face--John Denver's baby.
Not into pretty girls? Well, check out the exotic fauna--cockutoos, lizards, and kangaroos.
None of the above? Well, lots of handsome, rugged bad boys are available; they terrorize poor, helpless Cassandra to no end. Just good old boys having fun, that's all...they may be rough boys, but never meaning no harm. Just play along with 'em, let them tie you to their truck so they can drive around all day until you pass out. So what if they rip off your clothes? You were going to throw out that raggedy old thing anyways. Right?????? Right......
Jessica/Cassandra learns the true meaning of getting "skinned"!
journeyman96821 October 2000
A very interesting movie indeed! Cassandra Delaney is beautiful, and I'm surprised she did so few movies. She plays Jessica, a woman in the outback fighting for the rights of animals, especially Kangaroos, but 3 vicious guys decide to show her HOW a wild animal is treated, and have fun with her, and drives her around the dusty trails of the desert-like terrain of her own property like a hunting prize. The scene is explicit and worth an eye full as Jessica tries to escapes being tied to the truck while they strip her down and prepare to have some fun, with no help in sight. Somebody needs to tell Jessica that going 3-on-1 with some crazy guys in the outback isn't going to end well! The plot is lacking but the, "scenery" is worth the price of admission!
Surprising!
tummyfan17 January 2001
Watched this as an idle rental and was amazed by the erotic nature of the showdown scene where Cassandra Delaney is tied to the bonnet of the truck. I watched the UK version and I reckon most of the juicy bits have been edited out compared to journeyman's comments, (it was released in 1985, probably wouldn't be touched now) but it was still a surprise when that scene played. The rest of the film was pretty good too, but it's that one scene that sticks in my mind.
Hunters hunt woman
Dr. Gore7 May 2003
Warning: Spoilers
*SPOILER ALERT* *SPOILER ALERT*
One thing you can say about this movie, the video box didn't lie. That's very important to me after so many heartbreaks. It promises you a naked woman tied to the hood of a car and that's exactly what you get. Three kangaroo hunters decide to pick on a woman who lives by herself. She's all alone on her wildlife preserve, they're three fun loving hunters...you know where this is going. Their pranks escalate until we get the female hood ornament scene.
About that scene, loved it. Another classic B-movie moment. It's the perfect turning point to turn her from farm girl to vengeance minded assassin. She does not disappoint. While the movie is not overly bloody or brutal, it has a cool B-movie vibe going on that suits it well. Morons humiliate her, she strikes back and so on and so on until the bloody end. I liked it.
One thing you can say about this movie, the video box didn't lie. That's very important to me after so many heartbreaks. It promises you a naked woman tied to the hood of a car and that's exactly what you get. Three kangaroo hunters decide to pick on a woman who lives by herself. She's all alone on her wildlife preserve, they're three fun loving hunters...you know where this is going. Their pranks escalate until we get the female hood ornament scene.
About that scene, loved it. Another classic B-movie moment. It's the perfect turning point to turn her from farm girl to vengeance minded assassin. She does not disappoint. While the movie is not overly bloody or brutal, it has a cool B-movie vibe going on that suits it well. Morons humiliate her, she strikes back and so on and so on until the bloody end. I liked it.
fairest of all the Fair Game
RavenGlamDVDCollector19 May 2014
This is a must-have. I had a frantic years-long search for the DVD, and kept coming up against that Mamba movie, and of course, the Cindy Crawford offering, and believed this Australian movie to be a doomed quest. Was really relieved to have found it, and have joyfully re-watched it since January 2011.
One of the prettiest heroines on film. There is absolutely no denying this. People, I am RavenGlamDVDCollector of ElectricLadyLand, I know what I an talking about. And like that other reviewer pointed out, a heroine that you want to root for. She loves animals, and is only trying to protect the kangaroos from further harm. I disagree with other reviewers claiming that she incites the violence. She is vulnerable and alone, a pretty target, who speaks her mind, and the moment they notice her, trouble's in the air. Good thing the baddies aren't just cardboard characters, they are indeed 'good ol' boys' who, testosterone-driven, go past points of no return.
Cassandra gets top score for this one from the #1 FAIR GAME fan on the African continent.
Story concerns Jessica defending the wildlife preserve against kangaroo poachers. Yes, in real life, be advised to stay totally clear of confrontations with obvious rough-and-tumble types, but she just made it clear to them that they were the hell not welcome to slaughter more kangaroos. Leading to a well-filmed car chase scene, with that Beast truck the other star of this movie. And a gory kangaroo carcass stuck inside her pick-up. A nude shot of her taken by the intruders. Harassing building up to a crescendo. Everything dear to her is destroyed, and defiled, including herself, after she is trophy-ridden half-naked draped over the crash-guard of the truck. Yes, the rape is inferred, but clearly took place. After that she fights back, a one- girl assault team, and exacts full revenge. Summed up this way, it sounds scant, but the movie has to be seen. The Australian outback, the girl on her horse, that nasty 'red-eyed' nightmarish Beast truck that has a life of its own, the even nastier men and their disregard for life...
If you like pretty girls on film, this one's for you. Be warned that it is not for the faint-hearted.
One of the prettiest heroines on film. There is absolutely no denying this. People, I am RavenGlamDVDCollector of ElectricLadyLand, I know what I an talking about. And like that other reviewer pointed out, a heroine that you want to root for. She loves animals, and is only trying to protect the kangaroos from further harm. I disagree with other reviewers claiming that she incites the violence. She is vulnerable and alone, a pretty target, who speaks her mind, and the moment they notice her, trouble's in the air. Good thing the baddies aren't just cardboard characters, they are indeed 'good ol' boys' who, testosterone-driven, go past points of no return.
Cassandra gets top score for this one from the #1 FAIR GAME fan on the African continent.
Story concerns Jessica defending the wildlife preserve against kangaroo poachers. Yes, in real life, be advised to stay totally clear of confrontations with obvious rough-and-tumble types, but she just made it clear to them that they were the hell not welcome to slaughter more kangaroos. Leading to a well-filmed car chase scene, with that Beast truck the other star of this movie. And a gory kangaroo carcass stuck inside her pick-up. A nude shot of her taken by the intruders. Harassing building up to a crescendo. Everything dear to her is destroyed, and defiled, including herself, after she is trophy-ridden half-naked draped over the crash-guard of the truck. Yes, the rape is inferred, but clearly took place. After that she fights back, a one- girl assault team, and exacts full revenge. Summed up this way, it sounds scant, but the movie has to be seen. The Australian outback, the girl on her horse, that nasty 'red-eyed' nightmarish Beast truck that has a life of its own, the even nastier men and their disregard for life...
If you like pretty girls on film, this one's for you. Be warned that it is not for the faint-hearted.
See also
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